Three RJD leaders quit, likely to join JD-U

In a major setback for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, three senior leaders and former Bihar ministers quit the party Monday and are likely to join the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Awadh Bihari Choudhary, Ejazul Haque and Indradeo Prasad resigned from the RJD on the ground that there was no internal democracy in the party, said a party leader. All three leaders are from Siwan district that was once a RJD stronghold.

Choudhary is considered a close confidant of Lalu Prasad. Haque is a close relative of former party MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is currently in jail.

Their move to leave the party is being seen as a big blow for Lalu Prasad who has been trying hard to revive his party and regain its social support base in the state.